Festivals in Quang Ninh always embody the rich cultural identity and spiritual beliefs of the Vietnamese people. From sacred traditional festivals to vibrant modern events, each festival is an exciting journey of discovery. In this article, Yen Tu Tung Lam will guide you through the 14 most prominent festivals not to be missed when visiting this mining land.

Below is a list of the 10 most popular festivals in the open city:

1. Yen Tu Spring Festival

 
• Location: Yen Tu Mountain, Thuong Yen Cong Commune, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: From the 10th day of the 1st lunar month to the end of the 3rd lunar month annually

In early spring, people nationwide eagerly participate in the Yen Tu Festival – a major spiritual festival in Quang Ninh. Yen Tu is famous for its Truc Lam Zen sect, the largest Buddhist center in Vietnam. The festival provides an opportunity for Buddhists and pilgrims from all directions to visit, sightsee, and worship.

The image of bustling crowds walking up to the mountain peak to express their reverence has become familiar. People bow their heads in worship, praying for blessings and peace for their families. This pilgrimage helps visitors enjoy the temple scenery and immerse themselves in the majestic mountain and forest landscape.

2. Tien Cong Festival

 
• Location: Ha Nam Island, Quang Yen Town, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: From the 7th day of the 1st lunar month

Tien Cong Festival is recognized as a national cultural festival, organized to commemorate the merits of the 17 Tien Cong (Pioneering Ancestors) who established this island region. Local people call this a longevity celebration, showing the national tradition of “Drinking water, remembering the source.”

Families with elderly men and women aged 80 and above are honored as “Cu Thuong” (Venerable Elders). On the main festival day, the procession of the Cu Thuong takes place vibrantly to the rhythm of drums and traditional music. People prepare many precious offerings to burn incense, and also organize many healthy recreational activities.

3. Cua Ong Temple Festival

 
• Location: Cua Ong Temple, Cua Ong Ward, Cam Pha City, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: From the 2nd day of the 1st lunar month to the end of March, main festival day on the 2nd day of the 3rd lunar month

Cua Ong Temple Festival is one of the most famous festivals in Quang Ninh, commemorating General Tran Quoc Tang and other generals who contributed to repelling invaders, bringing peace to the people.

The festival is grandly organized, including a ceremonial part with offerings and a palanquin procession of General Tran Quoc Tang’s tablet, and a festive part with cultural activities and folk games such as dragon dance, blindfolded pot smashing, drumming, stick pushing, and tug-of-war. Cua Ong Temple is renowned for its sanctity, attracting visitors to pray for health, good luck, and admire the scenery of Bai Tu Long Bay.

4. Ha Long Cherry Blossom Festival

 
• Location: Ha Long City, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: March & April annually

The Ha Long Cherry Blossom Festival was first organized in 2013, recreating a Japanese cultural space with vibrant pink cherry blossom trees. Visitors also have the opportunity to admire “Yen Tu yellow apricot” – a unique flower found only in Quang Ninh.

5. Tra Co Festival

 
• Location: Tra Co Communal House, Nam Tho area, Tra Co Ward, Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: From May 30th to June 3rd (Lunar Calendar) annually

Tra Co Festival is a national intangible cultural heritage, organized to show gratitude to the village deities who protected the border. Visitors will experience the king’s procession, the “Ong Voi” (Mr. Elephant) competition, cooking contests, and especially the “flower dance” program – an activity to pray for good luck and peace for a year of favorable weather.

6. Bach Dang Festival

 
• Location: Temples and communal houses such as Tran Hung Dao Temple, Yen Giang communal house, Bach Dang stakes yard in Yen Hung

 

• Time: 8th day of March (Lunar Calendar) annually (lasts 3-4 days)

Bach Dang Festival, also known as “Death Anniversary of the Battle,” commemorates the merits of General Ngo Quyen, Hung Dao Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan, and Le Hoan, along with the heroes who sacrificed in the battles on the Bach Dang River.

The ceremonial part includes offering incense and praying at Tran Hung Dao Temple and Ba Chua Temple, followed by a palanquin procession. The festive part features many competitions, folk games, and re-enactments of military drills associated with the riverine people.

>>> See more: Top 16 Ha Long festivals: distinctive and most famous in the coastal city

7. Quan Lan Festival

 
• Location: Quan Lan Communal House, Tan Phong Hamlet, Quan Lan Commune, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: Mid-June (Lunar Calendar) annually

Quan Lan Festival expresses the martial spirit of the nation during the resistance against the Mongol invaders. The highlight is the vibrant dragon boat race, re-enacting the battle when our army defeated the Mongol invaders during the Tran Dynasty. This festival has become an indispensable cultural feature in the minds of local people.

8. Ba Vang Pagoda Festival

 
• Location: Thanh Dang Mountain, Uong Bi City, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: January (Lunar Calendar)

Ba Vang Pagoda Spring Festival is an occasion for monks, Buddhists, and tourists to flock to the festival to pray for peace. The festival begins after the bell ringing and drum beating rituals, with incense offerings and balloon releases praying for health and national peace and prosperity. The pagoda’s abbot also calls for actions of community solidarity and building a prosperous nation.

9. Long Tien Pagoda Festival

 
• Location: Foot of Bai Tho Mountain, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: Early Lunar New Year

Long Tien Pagoda is located at the foot of Bai Tho Mountain with poetic scenery. A special feature is that the main festival events are organized continuously from Long Tien Pagoda – Duc Ong Pagoda – An Duong Temple – Loong Toong. Visitors can sightsee, worship, and immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere.

10. Ha Long Carnival

 
• Location: Ha Long City, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: Usually in summer annually

Ha Long Carnival, through 15 festival seasons, is a colorful journey, converging the essence of local culture. The program consists of 4 parts: opening, art program, street dance, and fireworks. The festival contributes to spreading the image of hospitable Ha Long and dynamic, integrated Quang Ninh.

11. An Sinh Temple Festival

 
• Location: Tran Dynasty Special National Relic Site, Dong Trieu, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: August 20th (Lunar Calendar)

An Sinh Temple Festival takes place on the death anniversary of Hung Dao Dai Vuong Tran Quoc Tuan. The ceremonial part includes drum beating to open the festival, offering incense to commemorate the Tran kings and pray for national peace and prosperity. The festive part consists of tug-of-war competitions, art performances, folk games, and exhibitions of bonsai trees and Dong Trieu photos.

12. Thap Cuu Tien Cong Festival

 
• Location: Thap Cuu Tien Cong Temple, Cam La, Ha Nam, Yen Hung, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: January 5th-8th (Lunar Calendar)

Thap Cuu Tien Cong Festival commemorates 19 Tien Cong (Immortals) who reclaimed land from the sea to establish Ha Nam Island. On the 7th day of the 1st lunar month, elders aged 70 and above, along with their children and grandchildren, visit the temple to make offerings, with the children carrying offering trays in front. After the offering ceremony, villagers organize games such as cockfighting, buffalo fighting, human chess, and *hát chèo* (traditional opera).

13. Traditional Boat Racing Festival

 
• Location: Quan Hau Ferry Terminal Historical Site, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: Annually according to schedule

The boat racing festival, more than 500 years old, is a unique feature in the spiritual life of Quang Ninh people. The festival includes activities such as carrying sacred water from Tien Well, praying for the deceased, releasing floating lanterns, offering incense, and artistic performances, aiming to pray for favorable weather and strengthen community bonds.

>>> See more: Vu Lan Festival: Origin and meaning of this holiday in 2025

14. Ban Vuong Festival

 
• Location: Dao Ethnic Cultural House, Son Hai, Nam Son, Ba Che, Quang Ninh

 

• Time: December 27th

Ban Vuong Festival holds special significance for the Dao people, commemorating the ancestor who assisted the 12 clans in crossing the sea to a new land. The festival re-enacts the Dao people’s sea-crossing journey, with rituals such as worshipping the ancestor Ban Vuong, praying for prosperous crops, and performing folk songs and dances.

Related articles:

 
• Explore Yen Tu Spring Festival: Origin, Meaning, and 3 Parts of the Festival

 

• Emperor-Buddha Tran Nhan Tong Yen Tu – Life, practice & legacy

Festivals in Quang Ninh are not only cultural events deeply imbued with national identity but also attractive destinations, drawing a large number of domestic and international tourists. Yen Tu Tung Lam hopes that the information about these 14 famous festivals will help you have more meaningful spiritual and cultural experiences when visiting the beautiful land of Quang Ninh.